Yaya vows to reach 2010 for fans

Barcelona's Yaya Toure wants to honour the 19 fans who died during a stadium stampede at a qualifying match in the Ivory Coast by reaching the World Cup.

The injured midfielder missed Sunday's 5-0 win over Malawi in Abidjan, where another 132 people were wounded.

"We have to go as far as we can in this competition for all the people who died," he said.

Witnesses said a wall at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium collapsed under the weight of fans.

The collapsing wall then set off a stampede of fans who rushed towards the field.

Toure said that he had been in touch with his team-mates after the match.

"After the game I spoke with the captain, Didier Drogba, my brother (Kolo Toure) and the coach. Behind this victory was a tragedy and it's difficult because they are Ivory Coast supporters and we know them well," Toure said.

The stadium was packed as fans attended to see players such as Drogba, who plays his club football for Chelsea in England.

"Many people come out to the national team games in my country because they are very happy to see the footballers that play in Europe," Toure explained .

"It's a very important tragedy. We're all conscious that this is something that is very difficult and I want to send a message of solidarity."

Football's world governing body, Fifa, asked for a full report into what caused the tragedy.

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